By Stefan Coerts

The Madrid supremo has likened his club to the automobile marque's racing team division but has insisted that Real's financial prowess is not the reason for their success

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has compared the Santiago Bernabeu side to Formula 1 team Ferrari as he feels they both attempt to sign the best athletes around in their respective sports.

The Primera Division giants spent over €170 million to bring in the likes of Gareth Bale, Asier Illarramendi, Isco, Dani Carvajal and Casemiro this summer, while Ferrari have two-time world champion Fernando Alonso driving for them and have recently signed Kimi Raikkonen, a 2007 world champion, for the 2014 season to replace current No,2 Felipe Massa.

However, Perez has stressed that Madrid's financial resources are not the main reason behind their success.

"Real Madrid are a bit like Ferrari," the Blancos president was quoted as saying by Marca. "Ferrari always aim to sign the best drivers around as well, yet don't always emerge victorious.

"Our strategy is not to just pull out the cheque book time and time again. We are successful because our model is unique and allows us to sign the best players."

With Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid have the two most-expensive players in the history of the game in their squad.